British Gas is offering 30 households the chance to receive a plug-in solar unit worth around £500 for free, potentially saving up to £110 a year on energy bills. The technology has gone on sale in the UK for the first time and provides an alternative to traditional rooftop solar panels.
How to enter the giveaway
Households hoping to get one for free must register their interest in buying a plug-in solar kit from British Gas before September 16. The 30 winners will be chosen at random and notified between September 17 and September 30.
British Gas estimates households using the technology could knock up to £110 a year off their energy bills. Unlike conventional solar panels, the compact units do not require households to have a suitable roof or pay for a full solar installation. Instead, they can be positioned on balconies, patios or in gardens before being connected to the home.
What British Gas says
John Evans, Commercial Director at British Gas, said: "For a long time, generating your own solar power has meant having the right roof, the right home and the ability to make a significant investment upfront. Plug-in solar is now opening up another option for households who want to start generating their own electricity."
He added: "We want to help more people take that first step, which is why we’re giving 30 households the chance to win a plug-in solar unit. For us, it’s about giving people more choice and control over how they generate and use their energy."
Potential to earn from surplus electricity
Eligible British Gas customers could also eventually make money from electricity they do not use by exporting surplus power back to the grid. Mr Evans said: "And for eligible British Gas customers, there’s the opportunity to go one step further. In the next few weeks, customers can receive payments for eligible surplus electricity they export to the grid – meaning the energy they generate can potentially work harder for them."
The Government has also backed the introduction of the technology, with ministers saying the panels could provide up to 20% of the average home's electricity use. People wanting to enter the British Gas giveaway must register their interest before the September 16 deadline.
